Portable exercise system

ABSTRACT

A portable, readily storable, exercise system has a workout station which includes a rigid backing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed ends. A plurality of handle sections, each having at least one gripping portion, are configured to be attached at the opposed ends of the rigid backing member, and a cushion is configured to be attached to the top surface of the rigid backing member and disposed between the handle sections. The exercise system may also include resistance bands that may connect to the workout station to supplement various exercise techniques. Further, a free weight bar may be used for exercises and at times it may be used in conjunction with the resistance bands. The exercise system is a compact design and may partially disassemble thereby enabling users to have convenient portability and storage.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of provisional application Ser. No. 60/701,650 filed Jul. 21, 2005. This application is also a continuation-in-part of design application Serial No. 29/253,033 filed Jan. 30, 2006. Priority of the above-listed applications is claimed. The descriptive material and drawings in the above provisional and design applications is hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to exercise systems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to an exercise system capable of easy assembly and breakdown for purposes of portability and storage.

Because physical fitness is becoming a growing concern, many people are finding ways to keep healthy by implementing a convenient exercise regiment. Many forms of exercise equipment have been designed to assist a user in conducting an effective workout. Unfortunately, most devices that allow for a wide range of workout techniques are quite large and cumbersome, such that a user is forced to devote an inordinate amount of space, which is particularly inconvenient for home use by an average person. Attempts to remedy this problem have turned out some equipment with smaller designs, but these designs currently on the market generally have limited abilities which only allow a user to focus on a narrow area of the body while working out. Further, smaller designs are still inconvenient for a user that wants to transport the equipment to multiple locations.

Accordingly, the need remains for an exercise system that will allow for a wide range of exercises while being compact enough for users with limited space. The exercise system should preferably be portable and easily stored.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides for a portable, readily storable, exercise system. The system includes a workout station which comprises a rigid backing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed ends. The workout station also has a plurality of handle sections configured to be attached at the opposed ends of the rigid backing member. Each handle section has at least one gripping portion. Further, the workout station includes a cushion configured to be attached to the top surface of the rigid backing member and is disposed between the handle sections.

The present disclosure can provide for an alternative portable exercise system. This system comprises a workout station having a rigid backing member, handle segments configured to be attached to the rigid backing member, and a cushion configured to be placed on a top surface of the rigid backing member. The system can include a free weight bar, and a plurality of resistance bands having opposing ends, with at least one end of the resistance bands configured to attach to the workout station.

The present disclosure further provides for a method for use and storage of a portable exercise system. The method includes the steps of: providing a carrier which houses an exercise system comprising a workout station including a rigid backing member, handle sections, and a cushion; transporting the carrier to an exercise area; assembling one or more parts included in the exercise system; performing one or more exercises; disassembling the exercise system into a reduced size that is readily portable; placing the exercise system in the carrier; and transporting the carrier to a storage area.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a workout station in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the workout station of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a workout station in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the workout station of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of a free weight bar.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a free weight bar.

FIG. 7 shows plan view of a plurality of resistance bands.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing a method of using a portable exercise system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a workout station 100 which is a major component of a portable, readily storable, exercise system. The workout station 100 includes a rigid backing member 102 having a top surface 104, a bottom surface 106, and opposed ends 108. The rigid backing member 102 is designed such that it can support the weight of a user along with the added stress that will be exerted on the backing member 102 by the user as part of performing a normal exercise regime. In one embodiment, the rigid backing member 102 is comprised of one of a polymeric material and a metallic material. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rigid backing member 102 is comprised of a tubular support frame 110. In one preferred embodiment, the tubular support frame 110 may be configured to be expanded into an extended position during use and to be contracted for compact portability and storage. This may be accomplished by slidingly contracting the tubular frame portions 111 a and 111 b within itself at 112. It may be desirable to use a locking mechanism 114 to fix in place the tubular support frame 110 and prevent it from moving when in the extended position. Such locking mechanism may be implemented by any way known in the art.

A plurality of handle sections 116 are configured to be attached at the opposed ends 108 of the rigid backing member 102. The handle sections 116 each include at least one gripping portion 118. The handle sections 116 will most likely be constructed with a polymeric material, such as a polyolefin, a polyurethane, or PVC, but may be constructed with any material capable of supporting a user's body weight in addition to the stress incurred from performing various exercises. In one embodiment a GE Xenoy 720U injection molded plastic with a load capacity of 350 pounds is used to form the handle sections 116. The handle sections 116 may also further comprise at least one attachment portion 120 to attach at least one resistance band 700 (FIG. 7) for use in a plurality of exercises. The attachment portions 120 can be loops configured to receive hooks 702 disposed on the resistance bands 700, or hooks/notches to receive a loop 704 located on the resistance band 700. In one preferred embodiment the attachment portion 120 may comprise a rubber grommet placed on the handle portion 116. The grommets 120 have an opening 122 where a lanyard may loop through, thereby allowing the resistance bands 700 to attach to a loop on the lanyard.

A cushion 124 configured to be attached to the top surface 104 of the rigid backing member 102 and is disposed between the handle sections 116. The cushion 124 may comprise a flexible polymeric foam material. In one embodiment, the cushion comprises a hard closed cell foam back and an arched open cell foam top. It may also be desirable to allow the cushion 124 to be at least partially inflatable. This may be accomplished by any manual inflation techniques, or it may be desirable to place valve configured to allow for self-inflation on the surface of cushion 124.

The workout station 100 can act as a spinal stabilizer when used horizontally to assist in core training exercises, or may be used vertically, such as to be used as a bench with other exercises. Also, in the horizontal position the hand grips 118 may be used for push-ups with the user elevated off of and facing the cushion 124. A comprehensive list of possible exercises that can be implemented with the exercise system, along with instructions on how to carry the exercises out, is set forth below.

An alternative embodiment of a workstation is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The workout station 300 comprises a rigid backing member 302, handle sections 304 attached to the rigid backing member 302, and a cushion 305 configured to be placed on top of the rigid backing member 302. In this embodiment the rigid backing member is preferably a rigid polymeric mat, and the handle sections 304 may be continuously formed therein. The handle sections 304 in this embodiment include notches 306. As discussed above, these notches 306 are configured to attach a resistance band 700 to the workout station 300 to assist in a plurality of exercises.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depicts a free weight bar 500 that may be included as part of the portable exercise system. The free weight bar 500 may be one continuous, fixed weight, fixed length bar as shown at 502, or may be configured to be adjustable in weight and length as seen in FIG. 6. A plurality of segments 504, 506, 508, each having pre-determined weights and lengths, may be configured to attach and detach corresponding to a user's desired total weight/length needs. These segments 504, 506, 508 may attach or detach by any connection technique known in the art. In one embodiment the segments 504, 506, 508 include threaded portions 510 to facilitate attachment. The segments 504, 506, 508 may include two segments that are end pieces 504 that also include a hand gripping portion 512 to assist a user in various exercise techniques. The end pieces 504 may be angularly disposed by an angle θ with respect to the center of the free weight bar 500, but it may also be preferable to have no angle depending on the given exercise. It may also be desirable to configure some segments 508 to have the ability to be used as separate weights (i.e. dumbbells) for some exercises. Further the free weight bar 500 may comprise one or more attachment points 514, placed along the free weight bar 500, capable of attaching a resistance band 700 to the bar 500.

FIG. 7 shows a plurality of resistance bands 700 that may be included as part of the portable exercise system. The resistance bands 700 are preferably configured for attachment to the workout station using hooks 702 or loops 704. The resistance bands 700 may have hooks 702 on both sides to facilitate attachment to both a workout station and a free weight bar. They may also have handles 706 configured to be grasped by a user. The resistance bands are preferably made with an elastic tubing 708, but may be constructed with any means able to provide extra resistance during exercises. Resistance bands 700 may be configured to offer variable levels of resistance, and may be color coded corresponding to those variable levels. It may also be preferable to configure the resistance bands 700 to be adjustable in length in order to facilitate different exercises and different user heights. Length adjustments may be implemented by any technique known in the art.

The portable exercise system may also include a video presentation to provide instruction on the use of the exercise system. It may also include a carrying case to contain the system and facilitate portability and storage. Separate elements of the exercise system may be configured to at least partially disassemble into a compact size for portability. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a user may detach the handle segments 116 and cushion 124 and the slide the rigid backing member 102 within itself at 112, thereby allowing for a much more compact size.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for use and storage of a portable exercise system 800. The method includes the steps of: providing a carrier which houses an exercise system comprising workout station including a rigid backing member, handle sections, and a cushion 802; transporting the carrier to an exercise area 804; assembling one or more parts included in the exercise system 806; performing one or more exercises 808; disassembling the exercise system into a reduced size that is readily portable 810; placing the exercise system in the carrier 812; and transporting the carrier to a storage area 814.

The following is an exemplary list of exercises enabled by using one or more elements of the portable exercise system along with instructions on how to carry out these exercises. For convenience the list will be categorized by the particular area of the body on which the exercises work. It should be noted that different embodiments included in the present disclosure may implement the following exercises by different methods. The following list is meant to only be an illustration of the possibilities contained within embodiments of the present invention.

Chest

Dumbbell Chest Press: Lie on the workout station long ways on back, raise dumbbells (which may be segments of the free weight bar) over chest lower down by bending elbows to 90 degrees lowering dumbbell toward chest then return back to starting position.

Barbell Chest Press: Lie on workout station long ways on back, hold free weight bar (with or without attached resistance bands) over chest just outside shoulder width, lower free weight bar to chest and press back to starting position.

Dumbbell Chest Fly's: Lie on workout station long ways on back, hold dumbbells over chest keeping arms straight, lower dumbbell out and around toward the floor, bring dumbbells parallel with the chest then return to starting position.

Resistance Band Chest Press: Lie on workout station long ways on back with the bands hooked to the on the workout station, press bands up over chest in the starting position, lower arm to 90 degrees bending at the elbows then pressing back to starting position over chest.

Resistance Band Chest Fly's: Lie on workout station long ways on back holding the bands pressed over chest, keeping arms straight lower handles out and around toward the ground to parallel with the chest then return to starting position over chest.

Push Ups: Using the workout station with hands in one of three positions, flat on the outside of the air pad or on either one of the two handles, hold body in parallel position with the chest over the workout station; bend the elbow to 90 degrees lowering the body down to the workout station then press back to starting position.

Wind Mill Push Ups: Use the same technique as above but at the top position let go of one of the hand positions, turning and rotating your body toward the sky, lower self back to starting position do a full push up again and rotate to the opposite side.

Shoulders

Dumbbell or Resistance Band Shoulder Press: Stand or kneel on the workout station, pressing the resistance over head, bend elbows down to 90 degrees then press back up to starting position over head.

Dumbbell or Resistance Band Lateral Raise: Stand or kneel on the workout station, start with arm at side with elbows slightly bent, move the arm up and away from the body so the arm rises parallel to the shoulders in abduction, lower slowly back to side.

Dumbbell or Resistance Band Upright Row: Stand or kneel on the workout station, hold the arms in front of your body, with the resistance in your hands move the weight straight up toward the chin bending at the elbows, lower back to starting position slowly.

Resistance Band Rear Deltoid Fly: Using the resistance bands stand or kneel on the workout station, hold the arm straight out in front at shoulder level with the palms facing each other, move the arm back and around so the arms move back in horizontal abduction, then return to starting position.

Resistance Band or Dumbbell Scaption: Stand or kneel on the workout station, hold the arm at a 45 degree angle at the side of the body with the thumbs pointed to the sky, move the arm away from the body to the sky on the 45 degree angle overhead, then return back to starting position.

Triceps

Lying Dumbbell or Resistance Band Extensions: Lie on the workout station on back, hold the resistance overhead with arms straight, bend elbows, lower resistance to the ears, return to starting position.

Overhead Dumbbell or Resistance Band Extensions: Stand or kneel on workout station, hold resistance straight overhead, bend elbows and lower resistance behind head, return to starting position overhead.

Resistance Band Pushdowns: Using a door anchor strap and resistance band hooked at the top of a door, grab handles with elbows bent and arms tucked in to side, push arms straightening elbow pushing handles toward the floor, bend elbow and return to starting position.

Resistance Band Kickbacks: Standing on workout station bend over at the waist holding the band with arm tucked into side and bend at the elbow, straighten arm back behind and then return to starting position.

Bench or Chair Dips: Start in seated position with arm grabbing bench or chair at your side, lift gluteus off chair, with arms bend at elbows lowering gluteus toward the floor until elbows are bent to 90 degrees, then push back up to starting positions.

Hamstrings

Workout Station Bridging or Single Leg Bridging: Lie horizontal on workout station with shoulder blades and head resting on pad, bend leg to 90 degrees with feet flat on ground, push pelvis to the sky creating a bridge, slowly lower back to the floor.

Romanian Dead Lift, Free Weight Bar or Dumbbell: Holding resistance in front down low, stand on the workout station with feet shoulder width apart, bend forward at the waist lowering the resistance to the ground keeping the legs and back straight bending only at the waist, slowly stand up pushing your hips forward straightening at the waist.

Single Leg Romanian Dead Lift: Use the same technique as above this time holding one leg slightly off the ground.

Ice Skaters: Stand next to the workout station, stride laterally over the workout station catching self on one leg pushing off laterally to the other side catching self on the other leg going back and forth.

Back

Bent over Row Two arms or One arm: Stand on workout station bent over at the waist with legs slightly bent, hold resistance down out in front, pinching the shoulder blades together, bending at the elbow row the resistance up and back toward naval, slowly lower back to starting position.

Standing or Kneeling Resistance Band Row: Stand or kneel on the workout station using the door anchor strap and bands, hold hands out in front, retract the shoulders and bend the elbow rowing the arms back along your sides, slowly return to starting position.

One Arm Row with Twist: Use the same technique as above, as rowing the resistance back, add in a twist at the waist rotating the shoulders.

Dumbbell or Resistance Band Shrugs: Stand on the workout station holding the resistance at side with arms straight, elevate the shoulders to the ear performing a shrug, slowly lower back to starting position.

Protraction and Retraction: Start in the push up position on the workout station, keep arms straight, slowly pinch the shoulder blades together, then thrust shoulder blades forward.

Biceps

Dumbbell, Resistance Band or Free Weight Bar Curls: Stand on the workout station with resistance in hands and palms facing out ward, elbow at side, flex elbow and bring hands up and toward chest, slowly lower back to starting position.

Hammer Dumbbell or Resistance Band Curls: Stand on the workout station with resistance in hands and the thumbs facing out ward, use same technique as above flexing the elbows bringing the hands toward chest and slowly lower back to starting position.

Single Leg Resistance Band or Dumbbell Curls: Same technique as the other curls now just balancing on one leg.

Alternating Resistance Band or Dumbbell Curls: Same technique as the other curls, now alternating one arm at a time.

Reverse Grip Dumbbell or Resistance Band Curls: Same technique as the other curls now just having the palms facing down or in the supine position the whole time.

Quadriceps

Squats, Resistance Band or Dumbbell Squats: Stand on the workout station with the feet shoulder width, hold the resistance by side or by shoulders, slowly bend at the knees and slightly forward at the waist to a 90 degree angle at the leg, stand back up to starting position.

Single Leg Squat: Same technique as above now only standing on one leg, slowly lower down to 90 degrees or above without losing control of knee or leg.

Lunges: Start by standing on the workout station step one foot straight forward in a full stride, holding that position, bend both legs at the knee lowering the back knee to the ground bending the front knee to 90 degrees, stand back up and return to starting position.

Reverse Lunges: Same technique as above but now stride backwards bending down and returning to starting position.

Multi Planar Lunges: Stand with feet together stride in all directions front, back, side and diagonal bending down after each stride and returning to starting position.

Walking Lunges: Stand with feet together, stride in a straight line bending down after each stride, and then returning the feet together position and continue to move forward.

Step Ups: Using a chair or bench, place one foot on bench and rise self up on to bench and then lower self back down with the same leg, repeat with other leg.

Squat Jumps: Stand with the feet shoulder width apart, squat down in the full squat down in the full squat position then thrust self up in the air as high as possible catching self on the way down returning into the squat position and repeating this.

Torso and Core

Crunches: Lie on the workout station with the pad in the lumbar part of the spine, flex the spine forward moving the rib cage toward the pelvis.

Pelvic Raise or Reverse Crunches: Lie on the workout station with the pad in the lumbar spine, flex the spine back moving the pelvic toward the rib cage.

Crunch with Twist: Lie with the workout station in the lumbar spine, flex the spine moving the rib cage toward the pelvis adding in a slight twist toward the top moving the body diagonally across itself.

Prone Iso Abs/Plank: Hold self in the prone position on elbows and toes on the workout station, forming a flat horizontal position supported by the elbows and toes.

Absolute Six-Pack Cobra/Back Extensions: Lie on stomach on the workout station, extending arm out in front, move both arms and legs off the ground in spinal extension, hold and then lower back to the ground.

Absolute Six-Pack Full Sit Ups: Lie on back with the workout station on the lumbar spine, flex the spine forward into a crunch then move all the way up to the seated position flexing at the hip joint, slowly returning to the lying position.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. While embodiments of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts as set forth herein. I claim all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A portable, readily storable, exercise system comprising: a workout station, said workout station including: a rigid backing member having a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposed ends; a plurality of handle sections each having at least one gripping portion, said handle sections configured to be attached at the opposed ends of the rigid backing member; and a cushion configured to be attached to the top surface of the rigid backing member and disposed between the handle sections.
 2. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the workout station is configured for use along at least one of its horizontal and vertical axes to facilitate a plurality of exercises.
 3. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the rigid backing member is comprised of one of a polymeric material, and a metallic material.
 4. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the rigid backing member is comprised of a tubular support frame.
 5. The portable exercise system of claim 4 wherein the tubular frame is configured to expand into an extended position during use and to contract for compact portability and storage.
 6. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the cushion comprises a flexible polymeric foam material.
 7. The portable exercise system of claim 6 wherein the cushion comprises a hard closed cell foam back and an arched open cell foam top.
 8. The portable exercise system of claim 7 wherein the cushion is at least partially inflatable.
 9. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the handle sections further comprise an attachment portion to attach at least one resistance band for use in a plurality of exercises.
 10. The portable exercise system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of resistance bands configured for attachment to the workout station and for providing different resistance levels used in conducting a plurality of exercises.
 11. The portable exercise system of claim 10 wherein the resistance bands are configured to be adjusted in length.
 12. The portable exercise system of claim 10 wherein the resistance bands are color coded to indicate various levels of resistance.
 13. The portable exercise system of claim 1 further comprising a free weight bar.
 14. The portable exercise system of claim 13 wherein the free weight bar configured to be adjustable in weight and in length, said free weight bar comprising: a plurality of segments each having individual pre-determined weights and lengths configured to attach and detach corresponding to desired total weight/length of the free weight bar.
 15. The portable exercise system of claim 14 wherein one or more segments may be used as separate weights to facilitate different workout techniques.
 16. The portable exercise system of claim 14 wherein two segments comprise end-pieces, each end-piece having a hand gripping portion.
 17. The portable exercise system of claim 16 wherein the end pieces are angled angularly disposed with respect to the center of the free weight bar.
 18. The portable exercise system of claim 13 further comprising one or more attachment points along the free weight bar capable of attaching a resistance band to the free weight bar.
 19. The portable exercise system of claim 1 further comprising a video presentation to provide instruction on the use of the exercise system.
 20. The portable exercise system of claim 1 further comprising a carrying case to contain the exercise system and facilitate portability.
 21. A portable exercise system comprising: a workout station having a rigid backing member, handle segments configured to be attached to the rigid backing member, and a cushion configured to be placed on a top surface of the rigid backing member; a free weight bar; a plurality of resistance bands having opposing ends, with at least one end configured to attach to the workout station.
 22. The portable exercise system of claim 21 wherein the separate elements are configured to at least partially disassemble into a compact size for portability.
 23. The portable exercise system of claim 22 further comprising a bag configured to contain the exercise system for transportation and storage.
 24. A method for use and storage of a portable exercise system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a carrier which houses an exercise system comprising workout station including a rigid backing member, handle sections, and a cushion; transporting the carrier to an exercise area; assembling one or more parts included in the exercise system; performing one or more exercises; disassembling the exercise system into a reduced size that is readily portable; placing the exercise system in the carrier; and transporting the carrier to a storage area.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the exercise system further comprises a free weight bar to facilitate a plurality of exercises.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the exercise system further comprises one or more resistance bands configured to attach to the workout station to facilitate a plurality of exercises. 